BENGALURU – In a significant move toward ecological restoration, the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) and a private Foundation have joined forces to plant five crore saplings across the state. The initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), specifically targets biodiversity loss, rising pollution levels, and depleting groundwater.
A Tiered Strategy for Bengaluru
The project adopts a structured, concentric-circle approach to reforesting the state capital and its surrounding regions:
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Inner City (0–10 km from Vidhana Soudha): Focus on urban cooling and pollution mitigation.
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Peri-Urban Belt (10–30 km): 80 lakh saplings will be planted to create a green buffer.
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Rural-Forest Zone (30–50 km): One crore saplings dedicated to restoring biodiversity and strengthening forest fringes.
An additional three crore saplings are slated for distribution across other districts, focusing on lake buffer zones, road corridors, institutional campuses, and degraded lands.
Strategic Partnership and Funding
According to Mr. Shetty, the project leverages the strengths of both the public and private sectors:
| Entity | Primary Responsibilities |
| KSLSA | Facilitating land identification and coordinating sapling logistics with the State Forest Department. |
| The Foundation | Securing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding and managing volunteer deployment for planting and long-term sapling preservation. |
Scientific Restoration & Water Security
Moving beyond traditional “tree-planting,” the program utilizes scientific plantation models tailored to local geography:
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Miyawaki Method: For rapid forest growth in dense urban areas.
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Agro-forestry & Avenue Plantations: For rural and roadside integration.
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Climate Goals: The project aims to improve groundwater recharge, enhance climate resilience, and provide essential urban cooling.
Rejuvenating 45,000 Lakes
A critical component of this ecological drive is the restoration of Karnataka’s 45,000 lakes. The plan includes comprehensive desilting and the restoration of feeder channels. By planting around these water bodies, the project seeks to stabilize aquatic ecosystems and significantly boost the state’s groundwater reserves.
